News & Events

WANTOK 2013 Brisbane – Landmark achievement after 41 years of struggle.

February 16, 2014
Emelda Davis
Uncategorized

The Hon. Jane Prentice on behalf of Prime Minister Tony Abbott MEDIA RELEASE – 24th November 2013 2013 Landmark achievement after 41 years of struggle. The Australian South Sea Islander (ASSI) community vote in a Secretariat Board of Directors and a National Secretariat (ASSI.PJ) WANTOK 2013...

Nelson Mandela: A humble freedom fighter

February 16, 2014
Emelda Davis
Uncategorized

Article Published in Torres News – Dated: 16-22 December 2013:

Torres Strait at ‘heart’ of South Sea Islander history

February 16, 2014
Emelda Davis
Uncategorized

Article Published in Torres News – Dated: 16-22 December 2013:

Australian South Sea Islanders Receive Federal Grant for Community, Cultural and Economic Capacity Building.

Australian South Sea Islanders (ASSI) Receive $50,000 Federal Grant for Community, Cultural and Economic Capacity Building. Emelda Davis, President of The Australian South Sea Islanders-Port Jackson (ASSI-PJ) announced today that she “would like to sincerely thank Senator Kate Lundy, Minister...

New group to represent South Sea Islanders | SBS News

New group to represent South Sea Islanders | SBS News Australian South Sea Islanders have established a national body to lobby for their interests at a federal level. At a meeting in Brisbane, representatives of the estimated 40,000 strong community in Australia elected a national president and board. They...

Australian South Sea Islanders National Representative Board

Australian South Sea Islanders National Representative Board. The election held at WANTOK 2013, on the 3rd of November heralded the Australian South Sea Islanders National Representative Board… a landmark achievement. The board members are – Natalie Pakoa – President, Dennis Bobongie...

Professor Gracelyn Smallwood speaks out to Australian South Sea Islanders

Professor Gracelyn Smallwood speaks out to Australian South Sea Islanders with her talk on ‘Community Cohesion and Activism’ at this year’s Wantok 2013 National Forum. As a surviving descendant of the Blackbirding trade in Australia between 1863 and 1908, Professor Smallwood will...

The Vanuatu delegation participating in Wantok 2013

October 30, 2013
Emelda Davis
Wantok 2013

The Vanuatu delegation participating in Wantok 2013 The Vanuatu delegation participating in Wantok 2013 – Australian South Sea Islanders National Forum are (from left to right sitting in the front row): Former MP David Abel (CEO, Australia-Vanuatu Connections Inc), Hon. Ralph Regenvanu (Minister...

Wantok 2013 to be opened by Hon. Jane Prentice on behalf of Prime Minister Tony Abbott

This year’s Wantok 2013 to be opened by Hon. Jane Prentice on behalf of Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Dignitaries that will be attending the opening ceremony including: Hon. Jane Prentice MP – on behalf of Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Aunty Carole Currie – South East Queensland...

Professor Gracelyn Smallwood Honored by the United Nations for her Distinguished Contribution to Community

Professor Gracelyn Smallwood honored by the United Nations. Emelda Davis says…”as president of the ASSI.PJ, and on behalf of the board, we would like to congratulate Professor Gracelyn Smallwood on her 45 years of commitment to her relentless community work and most recent international...